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Extra bases

 Catcher Blake Lalli, a native of Gibsonia, Pa., just north of Pittsburgh, needed 30 tickets for family and friends on Friday. Pitcher Paul Maholm, who had spent his entire career with the Pirates before signing as a free agent this season, will start on Saturday on what was once his home turf.

"I'll try to throw a shutout no matter if it's here or Milwaukee," Maholm said on Friday.

Maholm has stayed in touch with Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, sending text messages now and then. The left-hander has been looking forward to returning to Pittsburgh, where he began his career in 2005. He never really had a chance to stay with the Pirates but said there are no hard feelings.

"I'll have fun whenever I face those guys," he said.

 The May 1 Cubs-Reds game that was rained out in Cincinnati has been rescheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET on Aug. 18 as part of a day-night doubleheader. The originally scheduled game will begin at 7:10 p.m.

Fans with tickets dated May 1 can use that same ticket at Great American Ball Park for admission to the day game; no exchange is necessary.

 The Cubs' scouting staff, led by Jason McLeod, senior vice president of scouting and player development, will gather in Chicago this weekend for the final preparations for the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, which begins on June 4. The Cubs have the sixth selection overall and two picks in the supplemental round.

"Right now the front office is focused on doing the right thing in the Draft and getting the right people," manager Dale Sveum said. "That's part of the whole plan, to build through the system. There's a lot of pressure right now to make those decisions. It's not that easy to get talent and find out the character of the talent and all of those things."

 Kerry Wood will sign copies of a new book, "All You Can Be: Learning and Growing Through Sports," on May 29 at Barnes & Noble Old Orchard in Skokie, Ill., from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. CT; on May 30 at The Cubs Store at Wrigley Field 45 minutes after the game; and on June 29 at Costco, 2746 N. Clybourn Ave. in Chicago from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This is Wood's first children's book, in which he shares valuable principles he learned growing up that helped him have success in the Major Leagues. Fourth graders from Chicago Public Schools provided drawings exemplifying their own goals, and the illustrations are included in the book. A portion of the proceeds will help support children's programs run by the Wood Family Foundation.

Wood, 34, retired last week after making one final appearance for the Cubs.

 Catcher Blake Lalli, a native of Gibsonia, Pa., just north of Pittsburgh, needed 30 tickets for family and friends on Friday. Pitcher Paul Maholm, who had spent his entire career with the Pirates before signing as a free agent this season, will start on Saturday on what was once his home turf.

"I'll try to throw a shutout no matter if it's here or Milwaukee," Maholm said on Friday.

Maholm has stayed in touch with Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, sending text messages now and then. The left-hander has been looking forward to returning to Pittsburgh, where he began his career in 2005. He never really had a chance to stay with the Pirates but said there are no hard feelings.

"I'll have fun whenever I face those guys," he said.

 The May 1 Cubs-Reds game that was rained out in Cincinnati has been rescheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET on Aug. 18 as part of a day-night doubleheader. The originally scheduled game will begin at 7:10 p.m.

Fans with tickets dated May 1 can use that same ticket at Great American Ball Park for admission to the day game; no exchange is necessary.

 The Cubs' scouting staff, led by Jason McLeod, senior vice president of scouting and player development, will gather in Chicago this weekend for the final preparations for the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, which begins on June 4. The Cubs have the sixth selection overall and two picks in the supplemental round.

"Right now the front office is focused on doing the right thing in the Draft and getting the right people," manager Dale Sveum said. "That's part of the whole plan, to build through the system. There's a lot of pressure right now to make those decisions. It's not that easy to get talent and find out the character of the talent and all of those things."

 Kerry Wood will sign copies of a new book, "All You Can Be: Learning and Growing Through Sports," on May 29 at Barnes & Noble Old Orchard in Skokie, Ill., from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. CT; on May 30 at The Cubs Store at Wrigley Field 45 minutes after the game; and on June 29 at Costco, 2746 N. Clybourn Ave. in Chicago from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This is Wood's first children's book, in which he shares valuable principles he learned growing up that helped him have success in the Major Leagues. Fourth graders from Chicago Public Schools provided drawings exemplifying their own goals, and the illustrations are included in the book. A portion of the proceeds will help support children's programs run by the Wood Family Foundation.

Wood, 34, retired last week after making one final appearance for the Cubs.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.